There is no doubt that religious institutions have played a crucial role throughout Islamic history in preserving the civilizational and cultural identity and uniqueness of the Islamic umma across different societies over the centuries, as well as in the diaspora.
Religious institutions have been able to fulfill this role innovatively and effectively through various frameworks, such as endowments (waqf), hostels (takaya), and pathways (sabil) established by craftsmen, artisans, and various professional and scholarly groups. Additionally, the institutions founded by the Islamic state throughout its history, which still have lasting impacts today, include thousands of educational, religious, charitable, social, and medical associations, as well as associations dedicated to both religious and secular sciences. All these efforts aim to preserve the identity of the Islamic ummah and nurture future generations to face the tide of westernization and maintain the essence of the true religion.
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Naffar, Assistant Professor of the Fundamentals of Jurisprudence and Sharia Politics at the Faculty of Theology in Turkish universities, emphasized to "Al-Mujtama" that the Islamic identity of the Arab and Islamic worlds, in addition to Islamic communities in the West, faces existential challenges and threats. These challenges impose exceptional roles on all those involved in safeguarding this identity, including various institutions such as families, schools, universities, endowments, associations, forums, unions, and movements. Leading this list are official and civil religious institutions like Ministries of Endowments, unions of scholars, organizations of preachers, and educational institutions that have dedicated themselves, thankfully, to achieving the goal of preserving the religion for the umma and spreading it to humanity. By doing so, they fulfill a communal obligation and share the responsibility with their counterparts in reviving the umma and building its civilization.
Dr. Al-Naffar: Turning Real Threats to the Umma’s Identity into Priorities for Civilizational Action by Religious Institutions
Dr. Al-Naffar adds that the proactive approach of these institutions, through integration and mutual support, in performing this overarching function and civilizational mission of preserving the umma’s identity, is a renewal of the Islamic epistemological model. In this model, mosques, for example, serve as beacons of reform and sources of enlightenment that harness the umma’s energies and various fields of activity.
This proactive approach also represents a renewal of the Islamic civilizational experience, wherein these institutions played the most significant and prominent role in preserving the umma’s identity. Mosques, for instance, served as centers of knowledge, gatherings for jurists, councils for justice, shelters for the poor, bases for preparation, and starting points for jihad. Universities in the collective memory of the umma functioned as consultative bodies for decision-makers in confronting external threats, as seen in Al-Qarawiyyin University in Morocco, Al-Azhar in Egypt and the Levant, and others.
He points out that establishing religion as revealed by Allah in the 21st century, by constructing its principles and building its branches, is fraught with many internal and external dangers. These dangers necessitate that those working in the religious field reorient their focus towards the purposes of the religion. This reorientation requires renewing perspectives, revising plans and updating methodologies.
We believe that imbuing a nation with shared characteristics and traits, or maintaining this identity, cannot be achieved through scattered efforts that lack specialized studies and expert consultations. This is evident in the efforts of the enemies and adversaries of Islamic identity, who have relied on centuries of espionage-driven Orientalism, followed by two centuries of scholarly Orientalism, and then a century of forced Westernization efforts, aimed at eroding the civilizational foundations of religiosity in the umma.
These enemies and adversaries continually update their plans through precise surveys that monitor the religious situation in the Arab and Islamic world and Islamic communities in the West, and they support programs for these efforts.
In this context, we call for transforming the real threats directed towards the identity of the Islamic nation into priorities for the civilizational action of religious institutions. Here, we identify a series of genuine dangers, such as resisting atheism, Homosexuality, triviality, and despair. The desired and hoped-for outcome is to define the tasks and functions of these institutions in the contemporary reality according to these challenges and threats. This should be done through a strategic jurisprudence that understands these challenges in their comprehensive contexts, extending beyond the religious field to connect with the civilizational domain. This jurisprudence should employ the jurisprudence of priorities in identifying what is good and what is evil, renewing religious discourse, and guiding successive generations in this nation towards engaging with its issues and enhancing its civilizational resilience.
Confronting Normalization
Dr. Al-Naffar states that, as we see it, opposing normalization should be at the top of the priorities for religious institutions in the current context. The persistence and continuation of normalization depend on changing the umma’s creed and its Sharia, particularly through the so-called "Abraham Accords," which include religious, intellectual, and cultural plans and measures aiming to dissolve the identity of the umma, undermine its strengths, and establish the supremacy of the Zionist entity over the Arab and Islamic region.
In this context, we renew the call to focus on leveraging the impacts of the blessed "Al-Aqsa Flood" battle, whose effects have been felt internally by renewing deep religiosity in the consciences of the umma’s people and externally by rekindling interest in Islam. We believe that this battle presents the greatest opportunity for religious institutions in the last century to renew themselves and achieve their goal of building a deeply religious umma, rich in humanity, global in its message, and abundant in generosity.
Nafi': Religious Institutions Had Positive Impacts on the Civilizational Renaissance of the Islamic Ummah, Especially in Architectural Renaissance
Eihab Nafi', former head of the Global Student Coalition for the Support of Jerusalem from Lebanon, told "Al-Mujtama" that over time, Islamic institutions, especially the endowment (waqf) ones, have been widespread in all regions and cities, playing a pioneering role rarely seen in other societies, if not entirely absent. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "When a human being dies, his deeds are discontinued, with three exceptions: Sadaqah, whose benefit is continuous; or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or a righteous child who supplicates for him." The ongoing charity (sadaqa jariyah) means that after death, this charity continues, such as donating land whose rent is used to help the poor and needy, support jihad for the victory of Islam, construct mosques, and more.
Nafi' adds that this hadith made every capable Muslim keep this noble saying in mind, ensuring they create an ongoing charity that will comfort them in their grave and raise their ranks on the Day of Judgment. This led to the establishment of the waqf system, which, over time, has provided sustainability for Islamic institutions and care for orphans, widows, the elderly, and others in need of care and attention.
These institutions also played a significant role in preserving the identity of the Islamic Ummah. Who can deny the contributions of these institutions, particularly the Qur'an centers, which produced generations whose hearts are connected to the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These institutions also supported the Mujahideen on the frontlines and took care of their families, in addition to fostering scientific advancement, which would not have continued without these institutions prioritizing it.
Religious institutions also had positive effects on the civilizational advancement of the Islamic Ummah, especially in architectural renaissance. The endowments contributed to the construction movement of mosques, which are central to Islamic architectural civilization. They also had positive impacts on the social and economic aspects of this distinguished civilization. It is imperative to encourage these institutions to reclaim their role, benefiting both the donors, who receive ongoing great rewards, and the institutions, which are hoped to restore their leading role in the renaissance, progress, and prosperity of the Ummah.
The Waqf System
Sheikh Ahmad Bakkar, member of the Syrian Islamic Council and Director of the Quran Academy in Istanbul, told "Al-Mujtama" that religious institutions in Muslim countries and those with significant Muslim populations play a primary and effective role in preserving Islamic identity through the waqf (endowment) system. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between politically influenced waqf organizations, which are directed by government policies, and those religious institutions that operate with a degree of freedom. The latter are generally more beneficial and have a greater impact on preserving Islamic identity, particularly in the practice of religious rituals.These include building and maintaining mosques, where the call to prayer is made, prayers are held, fasting is observed, and pilgrimages for Hajj and Umrah are organized. These practices continually remind people of their Islamic identity and heritage.
Furthermore, Bakkar pointed out that directed Friday sermons and ongoing lectures play a significant role in educating people about their religious duties. These activities instill an Islamic character in the community, connecting them to their religion and Islamic identity. The preservation of the Quran and Sunnah is also facilitated by establishing religious institutes and scientific councils. Scholars committed to spreading the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah in Islamic schools or specialized institutions play a vital role in binding individuals to their faith and identity.
Bakkar: Religious Institutions Have Played a Vital Role in Preserving Islamic Identity Through the Waqf System
Moreover, one of the biggest significances is the jurisprudence of dealing with non-Muslims living in Muslim countries in a manner that does not contradict Islamic law and principles, without compromising the fundamental tenets of Islam.
Bakkar emphasized that people must recognize that the first civil constitution in history was the Constitution of Medina, which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established to unite all residents of Medina, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, pagans, and people from various tribes such as the Aws, Khazraj, Muhajirun, Ansar, and other Arab tribes. If there is any religion that promotes unity and Islamic identity, it is Islam.
These are concepts that religious institutions in our countries must strive to disseminate. Just as the Ministries of Interior work to achieve security by combating crime, the Ministries of Awqaf (Endowments) and religious institutions aim to achieve security through intellectual means. Both are indispensable wings for any country, especially in those that do not exhibit hostility towards Islam and Muslims.
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